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Lewis Capaldi’s emotional Roundhay Festival return proves Leeds never stopped loving him

“You had me f***ing worried, Leeds!”

Declan Kelly Declan Kelly - 6th July 2026

After Friday night’s Pitbull takeover, which saw thousands of people rocking bald caps and belting out every word, I genuinely didn’t think day two of Roundhay Festival could top it.

Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Where Friday was one giant party, Saturday was an emotional rollercoaster. The line-up was stacked with artists whose songs have probably soundtracked at least one heartbreak, and judging by the crowd, everyone was more than ready to feel every lyric.

Before the night’s headline act, festivalgoers were treated to performances from Jessie Murph, Jacob Alon and Conan Gray.

One of the best things about festivals is stumbling across artists you might not usually listen to, and Jessie Murph was exactly that. There had been plenty of chatter online questioning the support acts before the weekend, but every single one proved why they deserved their place on the bill. They might not have the mainstream status of Friday’s pop heavyweights, but their talent spoke for itself.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.

Lewis Capaldi walked on stage to one of the loudest receptions Roundhay Park has probably ever heard, opening with Hollywood and instantly reminding everyone exactly what they’d missed.

There’s something about a Lewis Capaldi gig that no one else quite manages to recreate.

One minute he’s breaking your heart with songs like The Day That I Die and Someone You Loved, the next he’s got thousands crying with laughter from a story that probably shouldn’t be funny but somehow is.

It’s that balance of vulnerability and humour that makes him one of Britain’s most relatable performers.

Having stepped away from touring to focus on his mental health, Lewis didn’t shy away from talking about his journey. Instead, he embraced it, making the night feel less like a comeback concert and more like catching up with an old mate.

One of the biggest cheers of the night came after he joked about worrying whether anyone would actually turn up following comments he’d made on The Graham Norton Show about ticket sales.

Thousands of phone torches lit up the sky as every word of Someone You Loved echoed around the festival site. It was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why live music matters. Lewis had previously been due to return to Leeds before cancelling shows as he prioritised his health, making this performance feel even more significant.

His last appearance at Roundhay Park was back in 2019 supporting Ed Sheeran. This time, he came back as the main event.

Roundhay Festival gave Lewis Capaldi the welcome he deserved, and Leeds gave every bit of that love straight back.

Read more: Pitbull at Roundhay Festival – For one glorious evening, Leeds became the happiest place on Earth

Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

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Pitbull at Roundhay Festival – For one glorious evening, Leeds became the happiest place on Earth

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Pitbull at Roundhay Festival - For one glorious evening, Leeds became the happiest place on Earth

From the second Pitbull emerges onto the Roundhay Festival stage, suited, sunglasses firmly in place, there was only ever going to be one outcome - a field full of thousands of people completely surrendering to the party.

A few years ago, Pitbull's resurgence was treated by some as a bit of an internet joke. The memes were everywhere. The bald cap. The "Mr Worldwide" catchphrase. The nostalgia.

But those people who still think this is a novelty have clearly never been to a Pitbull concert.

While party anthems are often dismissed as throwaway pop, these hits are anything but - Pitbull writes songs that still get you dancing 20 years since their release, songs that reach into your brain and switch off the part that normally tells you to stand still with your drink.

Whether the tracks first exploded onto playlists in the late 2000s or the early 2010s, they still trigger the same involuntary reaction: arms in the air, hips moving, and strangers suddenly becoming your dance partners.

Pitbull is also a genuinely exceptional showman, dancing and jumping so freely we end up with a camera roll of photos where he appears to be levitating.

Backed by a phenomenal live band, every song feels bigger, louder and more celebratory than its studio version, while slick choreography and booming production transforms Roundhay's open fields into a full-blown fiesta.

Giant video screens whisk the audience from Miami to Cuba, Rio Carnival to Tijuana, with plenty of lively pyrotechnics making it all the more mental.

The Hoot in a sea of Pitbulls
The Hoot in a sea of Pitbulls
Pitbull on stage at Roundhay Festival
Pitbull on stage at Roundhay Festival

Even the inevitable costume changes (... jacket changes) became part of the experience.

Rather than letting the atmosphere dip, Pitbull hands the stage over to a DJ armed with wall-to-wall singalong classics. Instead of checking phones or heading for the bar, the crowd just… keeps dancing.

The whole spectacle thrives on glorious excess. There's the surreal contrast of Pitbull, impeccably dressed in a tuxedo jacket, standing centre stage while dancers perform around him in impossibly tiny leotards. It's flamboyant, unapologetic and entirely committed to the bit. There really isn't another live show quite like it, and that's probably for the best.

Amid all the catchphrases, the relentless positivity and what feels like several hundred uses of the word "party", Pitbull also finds time to remind the audience of the work his foundation has done, including helping build schools and providing education for thousands of young people. It's a brief but welcome reminder that beneath the larger-than-life persona is someone who has invested heavily in giving opportunities to others.

Of course, nobody is really here for a TED Talk. We're here to lose ourselves for 90 minutes in hit after hit, and that's exactly what we get.

Pitbull understands something many artists don't: joy is a skill. Creating an atmosphere where thousands of strangers forget about work, bills and bad news long enough to dance without embarrassment isn't easy. But somehow he makes it look effortless.

For one night, Roundhay Park wasn't just another festival site. It was the biggest party in Yorkshire.

And yes, y'all really were having a good time.

Read more: Lewis Capaldi at Roundhay Festival, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more

Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

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Kings of Leon at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

American rock band Kings of Leon are making their way to Leeds for a visit to First Direct Arena as part of their current EU/UK tour.

Formed in 1999 by brothers Caleb, Nathan, Jared, plus their cousin Matthew Followill, the rock band has gone on to achieve nine top 40 singles and six UK number one albums.

The rockers have two singles in Spotify’s Billions Club, including their standout hit ‘Sex on Fire’, which has amassed over 2 billion streams and ‘Use Somebody’ with 1.2 billion – two tracks that helped skyrocket them from cult favourites here in Britain to global superstars.

This four-piece’s latest LP, Can We Please Have Fun, dropped mid-2024 and knowing how energetic Northern crowds can be, it’s safe to say we’ve got this covered.

Last time they travelled over the pond, they let the Manchester crowd know the England score in real-time (read our full review).

Gig guide – Kings of Leon at First Direct Arena, Leeds

Kings of Leon UK tour dates

  • Fri 3 July – Glasgow, UK – Bellahouston Park
  • Sat 4 July – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Mon 6 July – Leeds, UK – First Direct Bank Arena

Are there any tickets left for Kings of Leon at First Direct Arena?

If you’re wondering where you’ll ‘Find Me’ on Monday 6 July, it is probably watching these four relatives play their two decades’ worth of hits at First Direct Arena.

Don’t ‘Waste a Moment’ as there’s only a limited number of tickets left if you’re after catching a glimpse of Kings of Leon live – get yours HERE.

Tickets are on sale for Kings of Leon who are performing at Co-op Live on Saturday 4 July in Manchester.
Kings of Leon are gearing up for their Leeds gig at First Direct this July (Credit: Press shot)

Kings of Leon setlist for 2026 UK tour

These American rockers have been performing all across Europe, switching up a couple of songs at each show; however, the hits below have featured at most of their appearances.

  • Slow Night, So Long
  • Waste a Moment
  • Find Me
  • On Call
  • Radioactive
  • The Bucket
  • Revelry
  • Manhattan
  • Use Somebody
  • Wait For M
  • Split Screen
  • Closer
  • Molly’s Chambers
  • Razz
  • MyParty
  • Supersoaker
  • Fans
  • Back Down South
  • Seen
  • Pyro
  • Black Thumbnail
  • To Space
  • Knocked Up
  • Sex on Fire

What are the stage times for Kings of Leon in Leeds?

Doors for Kings of Leon at First Direct Arena in Leeds are set to open at 6pm with a kick-off time of 7.30pm from a huge indie rock band.

Supporting the US rockers is a band who have received comparisons to Kings of Leon, the loud-and-proud Scottish stars The Snuts, known for their tracks like ‘Glasgow’, ‘Elephants’ and ‘Maybe California'.

How to get to First Direct Arena

Bus Station

Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.

Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.

Nearest Bus Stops

  • Clay Pit Lane
  • Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
  • Woodhouse Lane

Nearest Train Station

Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.

Parking

There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here

The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.

None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.

Hiring Bikes in Leeds 

If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:

  • Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
  • Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.

Read more: Grassroots Leeds music venue secures long-term future as part of community ownership scheme

Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)/Raph_PH (Flickr/WikiCommons)/Audio North

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